The "Springer-ized" View of Transsexuals in Americ

[Jhellis978]

Recently, a board member revived a long dormant post regarding Allan Starr's appearance on Maury Povich. TV talk shows such as Jerry Springer and Maury Povich have often lampooned the transgendered community, in an attempt to bolster the network's coffers. A majority of the responses to the post, reflected disgust with the way TV talk shows portray transseuxls.

While I agree with many of your rants, regarding the negative image engendered by guests on morning talk shows, I think we must examine another angle of this issue before passing final judgement.

After ending a relationship with a ts, I befriended many members of the transgendered community, from all walks of life--escorts, models, students and professionals. A majority of my ts friends live a normal life, outside of the transgender community, holding down "white collar" positions with professional companies.

These females share numerous traits. Most started transition early in life and had SRS within five years of their first session with a therapist. Most came from supportive families that showered them with the love and monatary support necessary to pursue their career goals (e.g. college).

These females represent the "highly succesful" transsexual many of you long to see on Springer or Pauvich, but these girls have no interest, whatsoever, in participating in such a "circus." Like anyone else with a career, these girls have other obligations to work, family and their own personal needs, that won't allow the time for trivilization by a daytime or late night talk show.

Consider the market audience for the shows in question. The networks gear Povich and Springer for an audience that has a below average education, below average income, and below average understanding of the complexities of life. Lawyers, doctors and businesspeople are either at work or asleep, during the times these shows normally run. Even the advertisements durning these shows are geared to the lower class (i.e. "ambulance chases")

If [/i]20/20, 60 Minutes or some other news magazine with a legitimate market base were to contact these ladies about doing a special on their lives, I'm sure they would oblige.

[Jhellis978]

fair is fair, i fuckin slam rookie posters all day for the mindless and pointless posts, but Jhellis978 kudos to u, while often verbose, u actually have alot to say.... ur intelligent and CONTRIBUTE alot;)


welcome aboard buddy...

Thank you for the kind words.

While I may be new to this site, I am no stranger to the transgendered community.

[Jhellis978]

The average person still can't wrap their brains around transsexuality. And I bet it'll take alot longer for TS's than it did for gays. What we represent is not only a sexual taboo, which is ridiculous enough, but a social one. I think the gay "community" could do a little more on our behalf. But, then again, we're still getting bottom billing in the "LGBT" world. As if that's even such an accurate or helpful category to be placed into anyway.

As long as Republicans breed, there will be "haters" out there. In the immortal words of Metallica, "sad but true."

[Brideshead]

"Men who are attracted to transsexuals are attracted to our femine qualities and enjoy the kink of the dick, GAY?? HELL NO, freaky yes." - Wendy Williams

I agree with Wendy.

[Tom_Brady]

The average person still can't wrap their brains around transsexuality. And I bet it'll take alot longer for TS's than it did for gays. What we represent is not only a sexual taboo, which is ridiculous enough, but a social one. I think the gay "community" could do a little more on our behalf. But, then again, we're still getting bottom billing in the "LGBT" world. As if that's even such an accurate or helpful category to be placed into anyway.


Yeah, thats pretty sad, but the world is full of stupid backward people and those people are often very insecure and paranoid. It pisses me off when i hear some people use words like sickness or thinking its some kind of disease...come on, you fuckin idiots.

[Ironhead]

I don't see things changing any time soon, to be honest. TSs are such a flashpoint because they make the threatened homophobes even more unsure of themselves. I feel for the girls going through it. but it also makes me chuckle to think about the guys trying to hate while being turned on at the same time.

[brickcitybrother]

If [/i]20/20, 60 Minutes or some other news magazine with a legitimate market base were to contact these ladies about doing a special on their lives, I'm sure they would oblige.


Years ago on his orginal show, Phil Donahue did such a show. It was not only tasteful and professional. Not a signle negative remarks can from any audience member - and the last guest - a beautiful young HS/college age girl was given words of encouragement. In fact, the show was so positive - it let me know that the entire greater society is not made up of closed minded people. I thought of that show when I took my TS friend to a trendy resturant in NYC. I was proud to have a beautiful person in my presence... and not concerned by the reactions of others (none of which if they occurred do I remember today).

[Jhellis978]

It would seem that transsexuals are one group in society that the media likes to fuck over as many times as possible by reducing them to freaks and labelling them as "confused". It makes me sick.

To counterattack the negative aspect the Media creates why not make a HUNG ANGELS T-Shirt, and have a middle finger stuck up on the back?

mds

Would that change the perception or actually feed the current misconceptions?

[tsntx]

The average person still can't wrap their brains around transsexuality. And I bet it'll take alot longer for TS's than it did for gays. What we represent is not only a sexual taboo, which is ridiculous enough, but a social one. I think the gay "community" could do a little more on our behalf. But, then again, we're still getting bottom billing in the "LGBT" world. As if that's even such an accurate or helpful category to be placed into anyway.

agreed

[tsntx]

as for j's original post... youre so on the money but its kinda like "no duh" no self respecting person would be on those shows theyre very degrading... yes i know that some girls from here have been and great more power to them theyre selling themselves and using the advertisement to benefit their greater cause but for us girls that dont need the publics awareness of who we are to pitch a movie, a book, a show, a whatever then there is nothing good or positive that can come from such a show... which is why i told the m.p. producers several times no unless they were doing a legitimate topic i would be saving myself for oprah ;)

[peggygee]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/respect.jpg

[whatsupwithat]

The average person still can't wrap their brains around transsexuality. And I bet it'll take alot longer for TS's than it did for gays. What we represent is not only a sexual taboo, which is ridiculous enough, but a social one. I think the gay "community" could do a little more on our behalf. But, then again, we're still getting bottom billing in the "LGBT" world. As if that's even such an accurate or helpful category to be placed into anyway.

i'm not too sure it's a helpful category. the gay community has its own issues. what i'd like to see is the mtf trans community act a little more like the gay community or the ftm community, politicize it a little bit (hiv prevention, run for office, get in the face of america). there are some great platforms for it out there...but none of the girls who should be taking advantage of it are.

right now, the trans community is split on the activist bent. once they come together and stop judging each other, things will get a lot easier.

[whatsupwithat]

as for j's original post... youre so on the money but its kinda like "no duh" no self respecting person would be on those shows theyre very degrading... yes i know that some girls from here have been and great more power to them theyre selling themselves and using the advertisement to benefit their greater cause but for us girls that dont need the publics awareness of who we are to pitch a movie, a book, a show, a whatever then there is nothing good or positive that can come from such a show... which is why i told the m.p. producers several times no unless they were doing a legitimate topic i would be saving myself for oprah ;)

like the howard stern search...visibility is one thing...but it's all sex...and doesn't the trans community have enough of that already?

[whatsupwithat]

It would seem that transsexuals are one group in society that the media likes to fuck over as many times as possible by reducing them to freaks and labelling them as "confused". It makes me sick.

To counterattack the negative aspect the Media creates why not make a HUNG ANGELS T-Shirt, and have a middle finger stuck up on the back?

mds

Would that change the perception or actually feed the current misconceptions?

feed.

hmmm...what's a good tshirt to wear as a guy proud of being part of the trans community ...i think i'll have one made. :)

[BrendaQG]

Shows like Springer and Maury can cut both ways.

The first time he had a buch of transwomen and born women together and asked people if they could tell was sort of revolutionary for American TV. That broke the oldest set of sterotypes "you can always tell by looking at hands stubble adams apple" or whatever.

After the 2nd or 3rd time it's enough already.

On the other hand a TV show like 60 minutes or 20/20 can also have negative side effects. Showcasing successful transwomen is good and all. But who would decide what is succesful?

Would their still be a looks requierment. Can a transwoman not be as succesful if she looks like Homer in Marge's Sunday dress? She looks that way but otherwise acts sounds like a woman and is a remarkable upstanding member of society. Would she still be a good role model? Would people be so hung up on looks that no matter what it would just be a freakshow?

What about if a transsexual's life is in a sense all about looks. In that thier career objectives are centered on various kinds of entertainment (acting, singing, modeling or whatever). Would that be considered a success? Or is that too sterotypical? Would such a person be a bad role model?

{sarcasm}Or perhaps the TS's they put on TV and call successful should be theoretical physicist. After all they would have reached one of the highest plateau's of intellectual development their is. Then on top of that looks pretty good....if I do say so myself.{/sarcasm} Should such a person be considered a success? Even if they are as broke as a poet on payday?

Questions like that are why I don't like to judge other people for having appeared on TV. As long as you aren't a total basket case then being a TS and on T.V. can only improve our standing.

[whatsupwithat]

Or perhaps the TS's they put on TV and call successful should be theoretical physicist. After all they would have reached one of the highest plateau's of intellectual development their is. Then on top of that looks pretty good....if I do say so myself. Should such a person be considered a success? Even if they are as broke as a poet on payday?

Oh yes. Very much so. :)

/can i get a side order of string theory with that?

[BrendaQG]

Sure. However you like it.